PC-12 Crash Is Third Guardian Flight Fatal Accident | Aviation International News

PC-12 Crash Is Third Guardian Flight Fatal Accident

Five people were killed when a Guardian Flight Pilatus PC-12 broke apart in flight over Nevada on February 24.

Guardian Flight King Airs and Learjet on Airport ramp — Guardian Flight operates a fleet of 60 medically-equipped air ambulance aircraft including King Airs. (Photo: Guardian Flight)

By Gordon Gilbert • Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

February 28, 2023

The crash of a Pilatus PC-12 on February 24 that killed all five aboard was the third fatal accident for air ambulance provider Guardian Flight and its second in just three months. In previous accidents, King Air 300s operated by the South Jordan, Utah company each killed three in mishaps on Jan. 29, 2019, and Dec. 15, 2022.

According to NTSB vice chair Bruce Landsberg, the turboprop single broke apart in flight some 15 minutes after a 9 p.m. departure from Reno-Tahoe International Airport. ADS-B data shows the PC-12 was at 19,400 feet msl before entering a spiraling descent, reaching more than 30,000 fpm. Parts of the right wing and tail section were found at least a half-mile from the main crash site, Landsberg said.

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Pilatus PC-12 Series

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